Kirtly Parker Jones. She's the expert on all things woman. Kirtly Jones, a lot of women have been emailing us lately for various reasons of pain and they've been saying that painkillers just don't work for them anymore. Can you grow a tolerance to painkillers? Jones: This is a great question and, in fact, yes, this is normal. Now, let's talk a bit about what we're talking about painkillers here.
I'm assuming our questioners are asking about narcotics. Jones: So we'll make that assumption. What we do know is that narcotics are opioids and these would be drugs like hydrocodone, and oxycodone, and morphine, Demerol, drugs like that, are actually pretty good for acute pain, meaning they work when the pain is acute onset.
Let's say you just had surgery or you just had a cesarean section, it can be really great for a couple days. However, two things happen if you take it for longer than a week or so. Number one, we have very good evidence that narcotics do not work for chronic pain. Jones: Doesn't do them any good.
For two reasons. Number one, it doesn't work for chronic pain and, in fact, narcotics can sensitize people to pain so they actually feel more pain. Jones: So that's chronic pain. So acute pain, we've all had it. It works by blocking the effects of opiates to relieve dangerous symptoms caused by high levels of opiates in the blood.
Your doctor may also prescribe you naloxone if you are living in a household where there are small children or someone who has abused street or prescription drugs. You should make sure that you and your family members, caregivers, or the people who spend time with you know how to recognize an overdose, how to use naloxone, and what to do until emergency medical help arrives.
Your doctor or pharmacist will show you and your family members how to use the medication. Ask your pharmacist for the instructions or visit the manufacturer's website to get the instructions. If symptoms of an overdose occur, a friend or family member should give the first dose of naloxone, call immediately, and stay with you and watch you closely until emergency medical help arrives.
Your symptoms may return within a few minutes after you receive naloxone. If your symptoms return, the person should give you another dose of naloxone. Additional doses may be given every 2 to 3 minutes, if symptoms return before medical help arrives. Keep all appointments with your doctor and laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your body's response to morphine.
Before having any laboratory test especially those that involve methylene blue , tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are taking morphine. This prescription is not refillable. If you are taking morphine to control your pain on a long term basis, be sure to schedule appointments with your doctor so that you do not run out of medication.
If you are taking morphine on a short-term basis, call your doctor if you continue to experience pain after you finish the medication. It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription over-the-counter medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital.
It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies. Generic alternatives may be available. Morphine pronounced as mor' feen. Why is this medication prescribed? How should this medicine be used? Other uses for this medicine What special precautions should I follow? What special dietary instructions should I follow?
What should I do if I forget a dose? What side effects can this medication cause? What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication? Brand names Brand names of combination products. Other uses for this medicine. What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking morphine, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to morphine, any other medications, or any of the inactive ingredients in the type of morphine product you plan to take. Ask your pharmacist or check the Medication Guide for a list of the inactive ingredients. Also tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following monoamine oxidase MAO inhibitors, or if you have stopped taking them within the past 2 weeks: isocarboxazid Marplan , linezolid Zyvox , methylene blue, phenelzine Nardil , selegiline Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar , and tranylcypromine Parnate.
Many other medications may also interact with morphine, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, even those that do not appear on this list. There were no significant differences in the need to switch between the two hospital sites. Conclusions: This study has shown that proactive clinical identification and management of patients that require opioid switching is reproducible in different clinical settings and significantly improves pain control.
Further studies are required to develop and test the predictive model. Your doctor is the best person to advise you on whether morphine is the right medicine for you, how much you need and how long to take it for. Naloxone is a medicine that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.
A pilot program, funded by the Australian Government, is offering certain individuals in New South Wales, South Australia and Western Australia this medication including the nasal spray Nyxoid free of charge and without a prescription.
Learn more here about the take home naloxone pilot. Remember that everyone's pain is unique and different pain-relief medicines will work in different circumstances. Some people's pain will respond well to non-opioid medicines, and you may find that one opioid helps you manage your pain better and with fewer side effects than another.
If you have chronic long-term pain , your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes to help you manage the discomfort. This may include physical fitness and activity pacing , social activities, relaxation techniques and overall health management. You can find more information here about options for managing chronic pain. If your pain is not well controlled by taking morphine, or you have any unexpected side effects, see your doctor. It's important you dispose of unwanted opioid medicines safely — unused medicines can be returned to any pharmacy.
Don't keep unused morphine 'just in case' since this can lead to inappropriate use. Keep morphine out of reach of children and pets. Never throw medicines into a garbage bin or flush them down the toilet — this is dangerous to others and harmful to the environment.
Asking about your treatment or medication is important to help you understand your options. Here's a guide to questions to ask your pharmacist or doctor before taking a medicine. See also this list of medicines that contain morphine to read the consumer medicine information CMI leaflet for the brand prescribed. You can also:. Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.
Palliative Care Australia is the national peak body for palliative care and represents all those who work towards high quality palliative care for all Australians. Read more on Palliative Care Australia website.
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